US Depleted Nearly Half of Its Missile Interceptor Stockpile Defending Israel During Iran War, Report Reveals
Washington absorbed the majority of the air defense burden while Israel conserved its own advanced interceptors, raising concerns about America’s ability to meet security commitments in Asia as the Pentagon faces years of costly replenishment.
WASHINGTON — The United States expended nearly half of its inventory of advanced missile-defense interceptors during the conflict with Iran, taking on the bulk of the responsibility for shielding Israel from Iranian ballistic missiles while Israel conserved its own stockpiles, according to a bombshell report published by The Washington Post .
The disproportionate burden has raised urgent questions about America’s military readiness to meet security commitments around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where allies such as Japan and South Korea rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to deter threats from China and North Korea .
“The numbers are striking,” Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, told The Washington Post. “The United States absorbed most of the missile defense mission while Israel conserved its own magazines” .
By the Numbers: The Scale of US Interceptor Depletion
The Washington Post report, citing three U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed the dramatic imbalance in how the two allies managed their defensive arsenals .
| Interceptor Type | US Expended | Israel Expended |
|---|---|---|
| THAAD | Over 200 interceptors | Not applicable (US system) |
| SM-3 / SM-6 | Over 100 interceptors (naval vessels) | Not applicable (US system) |
| Arrow | — | Fewer than 100 interceptors |
| David’s Sling | — | Around 90 interceptors |
Sources: The Washington Post via Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, Zee News
The more than 300 combined THAAD and naval interceptors fired by U.S. forces represented approximately half of the Pentagon’s total inventory of these advanced systems .
By contrast, Israel fired fewer than 100 of its Arrow interceptors—designed for high-altitude ballistic missile defense—and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors. A significant portion of Israel’s Arrow and David’s Sling interceptors were used against less sophisticated projectiles fired by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon, rather than against the most advanced Iranian ballistic missiles .
A U.S. official provided a stark summary of the disparity: “In total, the US shot around 120 more interceptors and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles” .
The Operational Logic: Why the Burden Shifted
The lopsided dynamic was not accidental. According to officials cited by the Post, the U.S. and Israel had previously agreed on a ballistic missile defense mechanism under which advanced U.S. interceptors—THAAD and missiles launched from American warships—would handle the majority of the ballistic missile threats .
This arrangement allowed Israel to rely on lower-tier systems like the Iron Dome and David’s Sling to counter rockets and drones from Hezbollah and Houthi forces, thereby preserving its sophisticated interceptor stockpiles for potential future conflicts .
While this operational logic may have been strategically sound in the moment, the long-term consequences for U.S. military readiness are now coming into sharp focus. The U.S. is now left with approximately 200 THAAD interceptors, and production capacity simply cannot keep pace with the demand created by the conflict .
Military analysts note that the U.S. entered the February 2026 conflict with its stockpiles already depleted following a previous engagement with Iran in June 2025, during which over 150 THAAD interceptors were expended in less than 12 days . The recent defense of Israel has further hollowed out inventories that were already below optimal levels.
The financial cost has been staggering. Each THAAD interceptor launch costs approximately $15.5 million. Air defense efforts during the conflict are estimated to have cost close to $3.5 billion using THAAD alone .
The Replenishment Nightmare: Years and Billions
The depletion of U.S. interceptor stockpiles is not a problem that can be solved quickly or cheaply. An assessment published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in April concluded that it is expected to take several years and tens of billions of dollars to replenish America’s anti-ballistic missile arsenals .
Even if hostilities with Iran do not resume, the Pentagon faces a lengthy and expensive rebuilding process. U.S. forces across the Middle East also expended significant numbers of shorter-range MIM-104 Patriot interceptors during the conflict, further straining global inventories .
The situation is compounded by the fact that certain interceptor production lines have struggled to keep up with wartime demand. The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, defended the balance of military resources, stating that interceptors are “just one tool in a vast network of systems and capabilities” . However, analysts warn that this defense rings hollow when the specific tools needed for high-end ballistic missile defense are precisely what have been depleted.
“Even if the operational logic was sound, the United States is left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and a production line that can’t keep pace with demand,” Grieco warned .
Global Consequences: Allies in Asia Grow Anxious
The depletion of U.S. interceptor stockpiles has sent ripples of concern across the globe, particularly in Asia, where allies have long relied on the American security umbrella to deter aggressive neighbors.
Japan and South Korea, both of which face significant ballistic missile threats from North Korea (and in Japan’s case, China), are reportedly deeply concerned over the shortage of interceptors . Both nations host U.S. military installations and THAAD batteries that would be critical in any conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
The Hill, as cited by The Statesman, has reported that the U.S. has already been forced to pause a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan amid growing concerns over weapons stockpiles following the Iran conflict . A U.S. official said the depletion of interceptor inventories “has raised concerns about the United States’ readiness to meet its security commitments around the world” .
The CSIS assessment warned that the drawdown has created a “near term risk” that could leave the U.S. vulnerable in other theaters. Even if hostilities with Iran do not resume, it is expected to take several years and tens of billions of dollars to replenish stockpiles of anti-ballistic missiles .
Israel’s Maintenance Pause and the Risk of Renewed Fighting
The situation becomes even more precarious when factoring in Israel’s own military logistics. The Washington Post report noted that the Israeli military is expected to take some of its missile defense batteries offline for routine maintenance .
This means that if President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations against Iran—as he has repeatedly threatened to do if Tehran does not make concessions in ongoing negotiations—the pressure on already-depleted U.S. interceptor inventories could increase even further .
“The imbalance will likely be exacerbated if fighting restarts, ” a U.S. official warned .
Pentagon Denies Readiness Crisis: ‘Both Countries Carried the Burden Equitably’
The Pentagon has pushed back against the narrative that the U.S. has been left dangerously exposed, insisting that the division of labor was strategic and that overall readiness remains robust.
“Ballistic missile interceptors are just one tool in a vast network of systems and capabilities that comprise a layered and integrated air defense network,” Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, told The Washington Post .
Parnell added that both countries “carried the defensive burden equitably during Operation Epic Fury, which saw both countries employ fighter aircraft, counter-UAS systems, and various other advanced air and missile defense capabilities with maximal effectiveness” .
The Israeli government also defended the arrangement, emphasizing the unparalleled nature of the U.S.-Israel security partnership. “The US has no other partner with the military willingness, readiness, shared interests, and capabilities of Israel, ” the Israeli Embassy in Washington said in a statement .
Trump weighed in on the broader strategic picture Thursday, reiterating that the U.S. controls access to the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran is losing vast sums as a result of the blockade. “There hasn’t been a ship that’s been able to get through without our approval,” Trump said .
A Longer View: Has “America First” Been Reinterpreted?
The revelations have sparked debate in Washington about the true cost of the U.S.-Israel alliance and whether the Trump administration’s “America First” doctrine has, in practice, meant prioritizing Israeli security while depleting American resources.
Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, offered a scathing assessment. “Since President Trump returned to the White House, Israel’s position has been clear: Put our priorities first, and our resources last. What remains unclear is why Trump sees this strategy as consistent with his ‘America First’ policy” .
Logan pointed to a 2025 Pentagon revelation that the U.S. only possesses about 25% of the Patriot missile arsenal needed for defense plans, arguing that this should have served as an urgent warning .
The report comes at a politically sensitive time, as Trump is under intense domestic pressure to reach a diplomatic agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize global energy markets. Gasoline prices remain high, and the president’s approval rating has suffered [citation:previous coverage].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many U.S. interceptor missiles were used to defend Israel?
A: According to The Washington Post, citing U.S. officials, the United States launched more than 200 THAAD interceptors and more than 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors from naval vessels. In total, approximately half of the Pentagon’s inventory of these advanced interceptors was depleted .
Q2: How many interceptors did Israel use during the same period?
A: By comparison, Israel fired fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors during the conflict. A significant portion of these were used against less sophisticated projectiles fired by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon, rather than against Iran’s most advanced ballistic missiles .
Q3: Why did the US bear most of the missile defense burden?
A: According to officials cited by the Post, the U.S. and Israel had previously agreed on a ballistic missile defense mechanism under which advanced U.S. interceptors would handle the majority of ballistic missile threats, allowing Israel to conserve its stockpiles for future conflicts or lower-tier threats .
Q4: What are the consequences of this depletion for US global readiness?
A: The depletion has raised concerns about America’s ability to meet security commitments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Allies such as Japan and South Korea are reportedly anxious. A proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan has been put on hold due to stockpile concerns .
Q5: How much does it cost to replenish these interceptors?
A: Each THAAD interceptor costs approximately $15.5 million. Replenishing the stockpile to pre-war levels is expected to take several years and tens of billions of dollars. The air defense effort for this single conflict is estimated to have cost close to $3.5 billion using THAAD alone .
Q6: What happens if fighting with Iran resumes?
A: U.S. officials have warned that the imbalance “will likely be exacerbated if fighting restarts, ” especially as Israel is expected to take some of its missile defense batteries offline for maintenance. This would place even greater pressure on already-depleted U.S. interceptors .
Q7: How did the Pentagon respond to these reports?
A: Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the balance of resources, stating that interceptors are “just one tool” in a broader air defense network and that both countries “carried the defensive burden equitably” during joint operations .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on U.S. military readiness, Pentagon replenishment plans, and the ongoing negotiations to end the Iran war.